The interlift continues to grow

There seems to be only one direction for the interlift – upwards. The leading trade fair of the elevator industry presents a new visitors record.

Since 1991 the organisers AFAG have seen the figures for exhibitors and visitors continuously rising. After the record 574 participating companies we see a new top result with 21,260 visitors, whereby the proportion of foreign guests was a good 60 %.

114 nations were represented at the interlift

In 2017 a total of 114 nations were represented at the interlift, another new record. The atmosphere in the exhibition halls was most certainly not only so good because of the lovely summery weather, but in particular due to the excellent situation of the sector, as the survey of visitors through Gelszus Trade Fair Market Research, Dortmund showed.

In fact the international elevator sector sees the future development of the sector even more positively than two years ago: 34 % (21 % in 2015) are expecting a strongly rising trend, with a total of 71 % foreseeing a further improvement of the elevator market. In consideration of the worldwide trend to urbanisation this vision is by no means utopian.

Top marks from top visitors

The interlift is the leading platform for elevator experts from all over the world. The representative survey once again confirmed the extremely high quality of the visitors: 85 % of the visitors participate in investment decisions, and of these 32 % are sole decision makers. This makes their assessment of the interlift even more valuable: 70 % of the elevator experts gave the selection of exhibits top marks 1 (= very good) or 2, and a further 25 % gave a 3.

One again the interlift exhibitors were able to welcome excellent results, just like two years ago. 69 % of exhibitors assessed their participation with the overall mark 1 (= very satisfactory) or 2, and 22 % of exhibitors said 3. The exhibitors have extremely high hopes for follow-up business: 22 % of the companies gave the mark 1 (= very high expectations), 41 % gave a 2 and 27 % gave a 3.

Feeling at home in Augsburg

Around 100 Italian elevator companies were represented at the interlift 2017 – more than ever before. And for the first time, in addition to Anica, the Italian association of component manufacturers, the Anacam was also exhibiting, the association that represents the interests of the Italian visitors.

For Italy’s elevator companies the interlift has become the worldwide most important gate to the world markets. And not only that: For many of them Augsburg has become a home from home, they have been exhibiting here for so long. But this should not surprise us, after all they do say that Augsburg is the northernmost city of Italy.......

International specialised trade fairs need long advance preparations, so there is no time for the organisers AFAG Messe und Ausstellungen GmbH to take a breather! Shortly preparations for the interlift 2019 (from 15th to 18th October 2019) will begin, and the documentation for participation will already be available from early 2018.

Statements

Dr. Silvia Piccione, General Manager, ANICA - Associazione Nazionale delle Industrie di Componenti per Ascensori:
“The interlift 2017 was special: The organisation was perfect, from the first to the last day we had plenty of visitors who were all seriously interested in our products. Even the summery weather helped to spread the generally good atmosphere! We were particularly pleased with the VFA/ANICA event, it showed that Germany and Italy share the same market interests. A big thank you to the organisers AFAG and to the Trade Fair Council, we are already looking forward to our next participation at the interlift 2019 in the new Hall 2.”

Lexiang Zhang, General Secretary CEA:
“First of all I would like to congratulate AFAG and VFA for their successful organisation of the 25th Anniversary edition of the interlift. In my opinion the interlift 2017 was a great success. The amount of exhibitors, of exhibition area and of professional visitors once again broke all records. The organisation of the trade fair is highly professional. We will be back in Augsburg in 2019 with even more exhibitors and visitors, and hope that the interlift will achieve even more success in two years time.”

Achim Hütter, President of VFA-Interlift e.V., technical sponsor of the interlift:
“The interlift 2017 was a great success. Using the shuttle service to the parking area at the WWK-Arena meant that for the first time we could target both trade fair entrances, which led to a very noticeable improvement in spreading out the trade fair visitors. The generally good economic situation ensured that both visitors and exhibitors were in the best frame of mind. The only problem perceived is the lack of qualified personnel, which slows the boom somewhat. The VFA-Interlift Forum was aloe well received at the trade fair and our over 2,200 visitors were a new record.”

Heiko Könicke, Managing Director AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH:
“We are enjoying a continuous boom with stable linear growth, as is seen from all the top results in all benchmarks of the interlift. The large extent and the internationality factor of the world’s leading trade fair for elevator technology are particularly impressive. With its large selection of exhibits and the clear advantages of personal communication it creates a sustainable added value for both exhibitors and visitors. Together with our partners we are extremely pleased with the excellent trade fair results, in particular with deteriorating general conditions and protectionist tendencies in certain important markets. These are developments that are not exactly encouraging for international markets.”

Joachim Kalsdorf, Project Manager:
“This interlift 2017 was quite simply sensational. Once again it impressively underlined its position as the worldwide leading trade fair for the sector. For our key players their motto is “interlift first,” and we have already been discussing possible enlargements to their stands for the future.”

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